Blackpool native and beloved children’s puppet Sooty backs town’s bid for City of Culture 2029
“Blackpool’s very important!”
Blackpool native and beloved children’s puppet Sooty is backing the town’s bid for City of Culture 2029.
“A little bit of Blackpool history is backing the bid,” read a Blackpool Council statement. “You might know him as the cheeky, yellow-gloved bear who’s been entertaining generations, but did you know Sooty’s story began right here in Blackpool?
“Harry Corbett first brought Sooty to life after discovering the puppet on holiday in Blackpool in the 1940s. From those seaside beginnings, Sooty went on to become one of Britain’s best-loved characters, with a career spanning TV, theatre and generations of fans.
“And now, all these years later, Sooty is backing Blackpool’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. From the seaside to the TV screen, Blackpool has always been a place where creativity, characters and big ideas come to life.”
City of Culture bid
Blackpool is one of nine places across the UK competing for the prestigious title, alongside Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham.
If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m from the Government towards a year-long celebration of arts and culture, with the potential to attract further funding, sponsorship and investment.
The campaign is urging residents and visitors across the Fylde coast to support the bid at www.blackpool2029.co.uk. The final three shortlisted places are expected to be announced in autumn, with the winner selected in the new year.
.png?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m to host a year-long celebration of arts and culture.
Back the Bid here: https://bit.ly/backourbid
‘Blackpool’s very important!’
Richard Cadell, Sooty’s puppeteer: “I’m here with the very excited legendary Sooty. What are we doing here? We’re here to lend our support to Blackpool for their bid for the City of Culture.” After Sooty appears to faint with excitement, Richard continues: “Why? Because Blackpool’s very important, Sooty!
“Sooty was born in Blackpool, discovered in Blackpool on the North Pier in 1948. That’s why the Sooty show is hugely important to Blackpool and Blackpool is hugely important to Sooty. Which is why Blackpool gets our vote.”